Tebarco Mechanical: Benefits from BIM & 3-D Scanner

Tebarco Mechanical, a full-service mechanical contractor and engineering firm, is always exploring ways to create less down time for clients during construction projects, while improving the delivered product. This led to the firm investing in a 3-D Laser Scanner to complement their existing Building Information Modeling (BIM) technology.

This innovative technology increases the efficiency of construction projects ranging from renovations to new builds. Tebarco understood that by helping clients accurately assess facilities and reduce down-time, this could directly impact a client’s revenue.

For an existing facility, the first part of the process is to use the scanner, which provides exact data about the size of room, length of pipe, number of turns and fittings, etc. This is especially useful when there is no existing rendering of an older location. This 3-D point cloud provides complete accuracy of a space for Tebarco to perform their work within.

The next process is to take the scan and integrate it with BIM functionality. BIM allows the general and all specialty contactors to virtually design the structure in 3-D space prior to building it in real life. In the past, building plans were created in 2-D in hopes that everything would fit. BIM builds plans in 3-D on the computer, which can also be viewed in 3-D via a tablet. Contactors can now prevent potential problems during the onsite building process avoiding costly changes and delays in the schedule.

The scanner and BIM technology combination allows general and specialty contractors to fabricate more extensively. For example, after Tebarco has virtually designed the whole plumbing infrastructure for a bathroom, the firm can prefabricate in-house followed by installation completely and quickly in a matter of hours compared to several days. Additionally, a general contractor can condense their schedule because the process reduces on-site installation from days to mere hours.

For facilities such as manufacturing plants, having Tebarco fabricate the work offsite keeps the facility up and running. However, it also improves quality control, as everything is handled in a more controlled environment and is easier to test.

“To our knowledge, Tebarco is one of the few construction companies in Georgia utilizing all this technology,” said Jonathan Barden, Vice President at Tebarco Mechanical Corporation. “While the investment to purchase the equipment and tools as well as to provide the time to train the staff was significant, we believe it has been worth it, for both Tebarco and our customers.” ■

Mr. Jonathan Barden Vice President Tebarco Mechanical Corporation, Alpharetta (770) 475-5552 jbarden@tebarco.com